Graphical concept map depictions of the same information, for:

The Magnetometer

Excerpt from Standards: Models are tentative schemes or structures
that correspond to real objects, events, or classes of events, and
that have explanatory power. Models help scientists and engineers
understand how things work. Models take many forms, including physical
objects, plans, mental constructs, mathematical equations, and computer
simulations.

Relevance to Activity: A magnetic field, which the magnetometer
measures, is a model. It is a mental construct that helps us understand
the forces associated with magnetism.

Excerpt from Standards: Tools help scientists make better observations,
measurements, and equipment for investigations. They help scientists
see, measure,
and do things that they could not otherwise see, measure, and do.

Excerpt from Standards: Substances often are placed in categories
or groups if they react in similar ways; metals is an example of
such a group.

Relevance to Activity: Magnetic materials (primarily
iron & nickel)
are such a category.

Physical Science (Content Standard B): Motions and forces

Excerpts from Standards: If more than one force acts on an object
along a straight line, then the forces will reinforce or cancel
one another, depending on their direction and magnitude. Unbalanced
forces will cause changes in the speed or direction
of an object's motion.

Relevance to Activity: The force of magnetism influences the
motion of the magnetometer's needle.

Excerpts from Standards: "Technology is essential to science,
because it provides instruments and techniques
that enable observations of objects and phenomena that are otherwise
unobservable due to
factors such as quantity, distance, location, size, and speed.
Technology also provides tools for investigations,
inquiry, and analysis." and "Perfectly designed solutions do not
exist. All technological solutions have trade-offs, such as safety,
cost, efficiency, and appearance."

Relevance to Activity: The magnetometer is such
an instrument or tool. The magnetometer
produced in this activity is not as precise as
one used by professional scientists, but it is much less
expensive to manufacture.

Excerpts from Standards: "Atoms interact with one another
by transferring or sharing electrons that are
furthest from the nucleus." and "The physical properties
of compounds reflect the nature of the interactions among its
molecules. These interactions
are determined by the structure of the molecule, including the
constituent atoms and the distances and angles between them."

Relevance to Activity: Ferromagnetism is a result of alignment
of the spins of electrons. The chemical composition and crystal
structure of ferromagnetic materials, such as the steel
in the pins in the magnetometer, influences the ease with
which one can induce magnetism in the material.

Physical Science (Content Standard B): Motions and forces

Excerpts from Standards: "Objects change their motion only
when a net force is applied. Laws of motion are
used to calculate precisely the effects of forces on the motion
of objects." and "Most
observable forces such as those exerted by a coiled spring or friction
may be traced to electric forces acting between atoms and molecules." and
"Electricity and magnetism are two aspects of a single electromagnetic
force. Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces, and moving
magnets produce electric forces."

Relevance to Activity: Magnetic force causes the magnetometer's
needle to move. Ferroagnetism is the result of the motion of electrons
(electrically charged particles) within constituent atoms and molecules.

Terrabagga

Excerpt from Standards: The sun, moon, stars, clouds, birds,
and airplanes all have properties,
locations, and movements that can be observed and described.

Relevance to Activity: Presuming you add planets to the list of
objects in the sky, this activity delves into one of the properties
of planets.

Grades 5-8

Earth and Space Science (Content Standard D): Structure of the earth system

Excerpt from Standards: The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot, convecting
mantle; and dense, metallic core.

Relevance to Activity: Earth's magnetic field is generated by movements
of magnetic metals in its core.

Earth and Space Science (Content Standard D): Earth in the solar system

Excerpt from Standards: The earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes
the moon, the sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller
objects, such as asteroids and comets.

Relevance to Activity: Terrabaga, though fictional, should stimulate
some discussion of planets in our solar system. Several planets besides
Earth have magnetic fields.

Grades 9-12

Earth and Space Science (Content Standard D): Energy in the earth system

Excerpts from Standards: "Earth systems have internal and
external sources of energy, both of which create heat. Two primary
sources of internal energy
are the decay of radioactive isotopes and the gravitational energy
from the earth's original formation." and "The outward transfer of
earth's internal heat drives convection circulation in the mantle
that propels the plates comprising earth's surface across the face
of the globe."

Excerpt from Standards: The surface of the earth changes. Some
changes are due to slow processes, such as erosion and weathering,
and some changes are due to rapid processes, such as landslides,
volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Relevance to Activity: Seafloor spreading is an example of a slow
change of Earth's surface.

Grades 5-8

Earth and Space Science (Content Standard D): Structure of the earth
system

Excerpts from Standards: "The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere;
hot, convecting mantle; and dense, metallic core." and "Lithospheric
plates on the scales of continents and oceans constantly move at
rates of centimeters per year in response to movements in the mantle."
and "Some changes in the solid earth can be described as the 'rock
cycle.' Old rocks at the earth's surface weather, forming sediments
that are buried, then compacted, heated, and often recrystallized
into new rock. Eventually, those new rocks may be
brought to the surface by the forces that drive plate motions, and
the rock cycle
continues."

Earth and Space Science (Content Standard D): Energy in the earth system

Excerpt from Standards: The outward transfer of earth's internal
heat drives convection circulation in the mantle that propels
the plates comprising earth's surface across the face of the globe.

Relevance to Activity: Seafloor spreading exemplifies plate motion.

Earth and Space Science (Content Standard D): Origin and evolution of the earth system

Excerpts from Standards: "Geologic time can
be estimated by observing rock sequences and using fossils to correlate
the sequences at
various locations. Current methods include using the known decay
rates of radioactive isotopes present in rocks to measure the time
since the rock was formed." and "Interactions among the solid earth,
the oceans, the atmosphere, and organisms have resulted in the
ongoing evolution of the earth system. We can observe some changes
such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on a human time scale,
but many processes such as mountain building and plate
movements take place over hundreds of millions of years. "

Relevance to Activity: Magnetic bands in the seafloor are another
form of "geologic clock".

Excerps from Standards: Human populations use resources in the
environment in order to maintain and improve their existence. Natural
resources have been and will continue to be used to maintain human
populations.

Relevance to Activity: Magnetometers are used to locate ore deposits.

History and Nature of Science (Content Standard G): Historical perspectives

Excerpt from Standards: "Occasionally, there are advances
in science and technology that have important and long-lasting
effects on science and society.
Examples of such advances include: Geologic time scale, Plate tectonics,
..."